First of three Wednesday night games between capitols and fighting saints

The Dubuque Fighting Saints and Madison Capitols will battle tonight, both looking to snap respective three game losing streaks. Dubuque, despite playing one of their better games in the last few weeks, was downed 7-4 on Saturday night by the U-18’s. The Madison Capitols still haven’t been able to find the back of the net with consistency and are fresh off a loss 3-1 loss to the Green Bay Gamblers.

-Madison is averaging less than two goals per game this season. In 14 games the team has scored just 26 times. They haven’t been shutout yet this season, but they have scored one goal in a game five times.

-On the flip side, Madison’s defense has been outstanding this season. The team currently sits third best in the league in total goals allowed. They have given up 44 goals and sit behind only Muskegon and Tri-City in terms of that number.

-Dubuque has played four of their six home games as one goal games this season. If you count the “home” game at the USHL fall classic, that number becomes five of seven. The Fighting Saints have been in every game at home, but the results have been a mixed bag. They currently sit at 2-3-1-1 and are 2-2-1-1 at Mystique Community Ice Center.

-In the last two seasons, over half of the games played between Madison and Dubuque have been one goal games. Last season, the teams split the season series 3-3. Dubuque won the first three games and Madison finished things off with three straight wins of their own.

-The Capitols showcase one of the best net minders in the USHL this season in Joseph Lamoreaux. He has the third best goals against average and the second best save percentage among all eligible net minders. Lamoreaux only has a 3-7-1 record, but his numbers suggest he could be close to undefeated.

-The Fighting Saints offense started to see more balanced contributions on Saturday. Prior to that game, Willie Knierim, James Sanchez and Matias Maccelli were doing the brunt of the heavy lifting offensively, at least in the three or four games prior. Riese Gaber and Ty Jackson changed that as they both tallied to break goalless streaks.

-Knierim has been dominant on home ice. His numbers are good this season, but at home they are phenomenal. Knierim has eight goals and 10 assists. Five of his eight goals have come at home and 11 of his 18 points as well.

-This will be one of three Wednesday night matchups between the Fighting Saints and the Capitols. The other two games will take place on the other side of the 2018-19 season and both will be played in Madison, Wisconsin. Dubuque is currently 1-0 on Wednesday nights.